Roof leaking through the ceiling? What to do right now
Keep people away from wet wiring and any sagging ceiling, catch the water, move your things, and photograph everything. Stay off the roof. If a storm caused it, report it to your insurer, then have a roofer tarp it and inspect once it's dry.
ReadShould I repair or replace my roof?
Repair it when the problem is in one area and the rest of the roof has years left. Replace it when wear is everywhere, leaks keep coming back, the decking is soft, or the roof is near the end of its expected life.
ReadWill insurance cover an older roof in Texas?
For storm damage, usually yes; for age and wear, no. Texas homeowners policies pay when hail, wind or a falling tree damages the roof. How much an older roof gets depends on whether your policy pays replacement cost or actual cash value.
ReadAre Class 4 impact-resistant shingles worth it in Texas?
Often, if you'll stay a while. Class 4 shingles carry the top impact rating, and many Texas insurers give a premium discount for them. Whether it pays off depends on the price difference, your insurer's discount and the paperwork your installer files.
ReadHow do I know if a roofer is legit? A Texas checklist and storm-chaser red flags
A legitimate Texas roofer has a local address, shows proof of insurance, gives an itemized written bid, pulls the permits and never offers to waive your deductible or handle your claim. Texas has no statewide roofing license, so these checks are on you.
ReadHow do I compare roofing bids, and is mine too high?
Get at least three written bids and compare them line by line: roof size, tear-off, decking price per sheet, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, shingle brand and warranties. A high total isn't automatically a rip-off; the line items tell you why it's high.
ReadHow long does a roof last in Central Texas?
Home inspectors' rule of thumb is about 20 years for three-tab shingles, 30 for architectural shingles, 40 to 80 for metal and 100 or more for clay or concrete tile. In Central Texas, spring hail can end a roof's life much sooner.
ReadHow much does a new roof cost in Austin?
Public 2026 price guides put an architectural shingle replacement on a typical Austin home at roughly $12,000 to $17,500. Roof size, pitch, material and the condition of the decking move it from there. Treat these as estimates, not quotes.
ReadDo I need a permit to replace my roof in Austin?
Usually not. Inside the City of Austin, replacing shingles with shingles, or any roof covering that doesn't affect the structure, is exempt from a building permit. The exceptions: homes in the Wildland-Urban Interface replacing half the roof or more, structural work, and over 128 sq ft of decking.
ReadHow do I check my roof for hail damage after a storm?
Check from the ground in daylight: photograph every side of the roof, look for shingle pieces, dented gutters and vents, granules at the downspouts and new ceiling stains. Cover openings, keep receipts, and report a claim soon. Leave climbing to a roofer or adjuster.
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